Germany exceeds the 2020 long-term goal of hosting 350,000 international students by 7%

Can you guess which is the fourth most popular study destination in the whole world?

Germany, the land of ideas!

Owing to its great research facilities, wide-ranging opportunities in STEM fields and zero -low cost of tuition fees, many international students are choosing Germany to pursue their higher education.

What makes Germany so special for higher education?

Based on  a 2023 survey of over 20,000 international students, Germany was ranked as the third European country of choice by international students. Germany was also listed as the number 1 country of choice for education by international students according to the study, EU Country Rankings 2018 for International Students. That survey was conducted in 2018 and Germany held first spot for 2 consecutive years on the Study EU listing. 30 European countries including the United Kingdom were considered for the rankings. With Brexit, it is not surprising to see the UK stand second to Germany in the rankings.

The quality of education, cost of living, and life and career opportunities are some factors listed as the reasons for the rankings. Here are why international students think Germany is an ideal location for higher studies:

• Many German Public Universities charge no-to-low tuition fees. This is one of the main reasons for international students to choose Germany over other study abroad destinations.
• In addition to its globally recognized programs, Germany is also preferred for its affordable cost of living. The average living cost can be as low as 800 Euros per month depending on the city you live in.
• Germany allows international students to remain in the country for a period of 18 months after graduation to find a suitable job.
• Germany provides high quality courses across the board but is especially known for advancement in the STEM fields. The country’s work in STEM is backed by incredible research infrastructure.
• Germany is known to be relatively safe for international students.
• Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to be fluent in German to be eligible to study or live in Germany.

With these exceptional points that set Germany apart as a study destination, it is little wonder that India is the second most contributing country to the country’s student revenue. 6.1% of overall international student strength in Germany are of students from India. India’s position rose from 4th to 2nd in the rankings of countries of origin of international students. It has switched places with Russia.

According to the German Federal Statistical Office, the current strength of international students in Germany stands at 440,564. It is a 6% increase over the 2021-22 academic year.

Growth in learning and opportunities in Germany

Germany had set a goal to host 350,000 international students by the year 2020 and eventually met this target during the 2016-2017 period. As per the reports released by DAAD(German Academic Exchange Service), this number has been steadily increasing with a 6% increase from the previous academic year of 2021-22.

Although this increase in numbers could be expected from Germany’s top-notch education system and no-to-low tuition fee structure, the increase in English-taught Masters in Germany has taken the world by storm. The number of English-taught Master courses in Germany is speculated to be the main draw in coming years.

The figures suggest that Germany is well on its way to give other study abroad top ten destinations like the USA, UK, and Australia, a tough fight. To support its internationalization strategy, DAAD has also initiated two campaigns. “Study in Germany – Land of Ideas” and “Research in Germany – Land of Ideas”, focusing on the two biggest strengths that Germany offers.

If you’d like to be a part of this exceptional growth story and chart a new beginning – or a level up- in your education and career, look no further than Germany. When you’re ready to apply, reach out to our Student Support Team to get complete assistance, at no cost to you.